Ep 8. Deadly Inclination

On this episode of Air Disasters, investigators take a look at the 2016 crash of LaMia Flight 2933 in Colombia. The flight was carrying a Brazilian soccer team along with their coaches, staff, and journalists to a championship match. The plane crashed into a mountainside, killing 71 of the 77 people on board.

As the investigation begins, the team examines the weather conditions and air traffic control communications leading up to the crash. They also take a closer look at the airline, LaMia, and its questionable safety record. The airline had been operating with only one plane, and the crash investigation revealed numerous safety violations.

The focus then shifts to the crew of the flight, including the captain, who had a checkered history as a pilot, and the co-pilot, who was relatively inexperienced. The crew made a critical mistake by failing to refuel the plane during a stopover, which would prove fatal.

As the flight approached Medellín, the crew realized they were running low on fuel. Despite air traffic control's instructions to begin an emergency descent, the crew decided to continue towards the airport. Shortly after this decision, the engines ran out of fuel, causing the plane to crash into the mountain.

The investigation uncovers a culture of rule-breaking at LaMia, including pressure on pilots to complete flights without proper fueling, and falsification of documents to cover up safety violations. The crash was a tragedy that could have been prevented with better oversight and follow-through by safety regulators.

Through interviews with survivors, families of the victims, and experts, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the complicated factors that led to this deadly aviation disaster. Air Disasters continues to provide insightful and informative accounts of air crashes, reminding us of the importance of safety in the skies.